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10/15/1997ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER October 15, 1997 Present: Jill Melkonian Chair Whitney Gray Vice Chair David Rhame Board Member Vacant Seat Board Member Vacant Seat Board Member Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney Tom Miller, Assistant Director Engineering/Environmental Alan Mayberry Urban Forester Gwen Legters Board Reporter Absent: Anne Garris Board Member Alan Smith Board Member The normal order of business was suspended due to lack of a quorum. Informal discussion ensued at 4:17 p.m. in City Hall. Discussion ensued regarding the manner in which items are forwarded to the City Commission, acted upon, and information related to the board. Concerns were expressed the current staff liaison procedure is insufficient as it removes board members from the communication loop. It was suggested to assign a board member to one Commissioner to serve as liaison. Specific concerns were expressed regarding: 1) the Commission having decided to reduce the EAB’s membership without informing or receiving input from board members; and 2) rumors the City is considering combining the EAB with other City advisory boards without board knowledge or input. Discussion ensued regarding the final draft of the City policy on tree planting in City rights-of-way. Urban Forester Allen Mayberry stated Environmental staff is working, with input from the Parks and Recreation Department, to reestablish and implement the street tree policy, complete the tree inventory, compile the data, and start a street tree planting program to improve appearance, increase property values, regulate who can plant, and planting locations, in conformance with the policy. He responded to questions regarding free trees available to the public, the possibility of FDOT grants for landscaping two of four major right-of-way areas: 1) Alternate 19; 2) US 19; 3) Missouri Avenue; or 4) Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. In response to a question, Mr. Mayberry stated he has not received a response regarding the board’s recommendation for the City to quickly purchase the Bayview Mobile Home Park property to preserve the unbroken tree canopy. Assistant City Attorney Dougall-Sides responded to questions regarding two proposed amendments to landscape standards scheduled for first reading at tomorrow night’s City Commission meeting: 1) increasing minimum standards for shrubbery size and irrigation systems; and 2) occupational license revocation and triple permit fees for violation of standards for tree-related services. It was indicated enforcement and implementation of monetary fines is at staff’s discretion. No endorsement was possible due to lack of a quorum, but three members indicated their enthusiastic support of the proposed amendments. Discussion ensued regarding how discussion of annual report topics was summarized in the September 17 minutes. It was felt clarification was needed to indicate the City-wide baseline study and water quality report was an accomplishment, and concerns with construction having proceeded on environmentally sensitive wetlands without being brought before the EAB was regarding the Wellington affordable apartment project. Staff will clarify the September 17 minutes for approval at the next meeting. Questions were raised regarding the impetus that led the City to want the EAB blended with other advisory boards. Ms. Dougall-Sides clarified part of the Land Development Code rewrite was to combine a number of advisory boards into two larger boards for the purpose of streamlining zoning procedures. The aim was to avoid applicants having to come to several boards before being able to get a project started. The EAB was considered as a candidate for inclusion into the two larger boards, but such consideration was not finalized. Now a consultant has been engaged to work on the draft Land Development Code amendment. Ms. Dougall-Sides will urge the consultant to appear before the various boards, to explain what is being done. Board members felt the EAB has tried to equitably blend development with environmental concerns, but expressed concerns blending the EAB into a larger board would dilute its positive environmental effect. Ms. Dougall-Sides was requested to bring the environmentally sensitive properties list to the attention of the consultant for consideration of inclusion in the amendment. In response to a question, it was indicated the City Manager is trying to schedule meetings with all advisory boards in November, to introduce himself and thank board members. Concern was expressed that reducing board membership complicates election of board officers normally scheduled for the November meeting. It was indicated the ordinance reducing the membership needs to have language added to reduce the quorum, as well. Ms. Melkonian stated she is not happy with the change and does not understand the reason the board is being streamlined. It was indicated some confusion exists regarding term lengths because beginning terms were staggered to avoid having all terms expire at once. Discussion ensued regarding whether the EAB’s rules allow a second consecutive term for board officers. Ms. Dougall-Sides’ interpretation was the rules do not preclude successive terms. Informal discussion concluded at 5:05 p.m.